Brumbies CEO Michael Jones back at work after securing temporary injunction against dismissal

OUSTED Brumbies CEO Michael Jones has returned to his desk after securing a temporary injunction against the club’s decision to stand him down.

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March 22, 2016 - 10:48PM

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OUSTED Brumbies chief executive Michael Jones returned to his desk on Tuesday after securing a temporary injunction against the club’s decision to stand him down.

Jones’ win in court came as it emerged Australian Rugby Union boss Bill Pulver had financially guaranteed the Brumbies future to ACT chief minister Andrew Barr, hosing down fears raised by Jones at the weekend that the Brumbies could collapse.

Jones launched an action of unfair dismissal against the Brumbies in the ACT Supreme Court under laws protecting whistleblowers after the Brumbies board moved against him in the wake of an incendiary radio interview with the ABC.

Jones claimed he was a target of lies and rumours about his future at the club, and the people spreading them were those nervous about an AFP investigation into the sale of the Brumbies’ former headquarters in Griffith and move to the University of Canberra. Jones handed over a large file with “anomalies” to the police last September.

Tension has developed between Jones and UQ, with vice-chancellor Stephen Parker set to sue Jones for defamation over an email to former Wallaby Joe Roff, who is the CEO of the University of Canberra Union.

In the radio interview, Jones said the rumours had become a cancer around the Brumbies and warned the Brumbies could fold if he engaged in an open “war” with his detractors.

The Brumbies board stood Jones down but if they were hoping he’d walk away they were mistaken. Jones remains firm on the fact he has been a good leader of the Brumbies and he submitted papers to the court accusing the Brumbies of breach of contract.

Jones’ lawyer Wayne Sharwood told the court he had been treated unfairly because he had been stood down for making a public statement.

The Brumbies have started the 2016 Super Rugby season with three wins and a loss to sit fourth overall.

“There’s been a complicated and aggressive campaign against Mr Jones,” he said. “And that constitutes detrimental action.”

Justice Richard Refshauge granted the application, and the parties will return to the ACT Supreme Court on Tuesday.

Jones later apologised for the disruption to the Brumbies’ team — who are on tour in South Africa — and said he was “heading back to work”.

“I want to focus on the footy and beating the Cheetahs this weekend, and sorry all this happened,” he said.

Jones appears willing to continue in his role as CEO but whether it would be feasible remains to be seen.

The Brumbies lost $1.5 million last year and can ill-afford a severance payout to Jones. It was this distinction that saw the Brumbies board not sack Jones, but stand him down.

Speculation emerged yesterday the ARU could step in to bankroll the Brumbies’ payout but it is understood no such guarantees have been made.

It may be a matter of semantics, however. Should the Brumbies use up some or all of their cash reserves on a payout and fall in serious financial peril, the ARU has committed to step in and ensure the club stays afloat.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr met with Bill Pulver and Brumbies chairman Robert Kennedy on Monday.

Pulver promised as much when he met with Brumbies chairman Robert Kennedy and ACT chief minister Andrew Barr on Monday in Canberra.

The ACT government is a major financial backer of the Brumbies.

“I have had reassurances from Bill Pulver, the CEO of the Australian Rugby Union, and indeed from the board, around the future of the Brumbies,” Mr Barr said.

When pressed by media about the Brumbies’ financial survival, given their finances were “not assured”, Mr Barr said: “They have been assured by the CEO of Australian rugby.”